Italy plagued by injuries ahead of crucial game

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Italy striker Christian Vieri is one of three injury doubts before Tuesday's Euro 2004 Group C soccer match against Bulgaria.

Vieri, who has an injury to his left knee, did not take part in a full training session today, jogging around the pitch with midfielders Simone Perrotta and Cristiano Zanetti who are also doubtful.

"He has had a light reaction in his knee and we will see how it responds tomorrow," coach Giovanni Trapattoni told a news conference.

Perrotta, who was expected to start in midfield, has a calf injury and Trapattoni said he was "more optimistic" about his chances of starting against the Bulgarians.

Zanetti, who missed Friday's 1-1 draw against Sweden with a groin injury, will also face a fitness check on Tuesday, Trapattoni said.

Italy are also without three suspended players in defender Fabio Cannavaro, midfielder Gennaro Gattuso and forward Francesco Totti.

"The situation is not a very fortunate one," Trapattoni said while declining to discuss the possible replacements if the injured trio fail to make it.

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But it is almost certain that if Vieri, who has been criticised for his sluggish displays, has to sit out Tuesday's game that Lazio forward Bernardo Corradi would step into the attack alongside Antonio Cassano and Alessandro Del Piero.

Corradi was brought to Euro 2004 as Vieri's deputy but he has not made it off the bench so far.

To make it to the last eight Italy must beat Bulgaria and hope the game between Denmark and Sweden does not end 2-2 or a higher-scoring draw.

Trapattoni said he would be talking to his players individually to ensure they are in the right frame of mind for the game.

"I want to be convinced that they have the same motivation and approach that they showed in our last game," he said, referring to the excellent first-half display against the Swedes.